Tournament fishermen will be out in force

Bass tournament fishermen will be out in force on Clear Lake starting today for the American Bass Lucas Oil team tournament. The tournament features 66 boats and a rich payout for the top finishers. The winner will receive approximately $8,000 and that doesn't include the options.

Actually, the winning team could go home with $10,000 or more if they are in the option money. The entry fee is $500 per team with $300 in option money. The tournament operates out of Konocti Vista Casino and the weigh-in starts at 3 p.m. both today and Saturday.

Most of the fishermen predict it will take at least 60 pounds to win the two-day event. The weather forecast calls for temperatures in the 80s, which will definitely put the bass on their spawning beds. The most successful technique has been drop-shotting a plastic worm back in the tules. Jigs pitched into the thick tule cover also has been very effective along with shaky head jigs. A few fishermen are having success casting lipless crankbaits. There is little topwater action although one fisherman did report catching two bass on a plastic frog. The topwater action should improve within a couple of weeks.

Despite the excellent conditions, not everyone is catching a lot of fish although most anglers are averaging from five to 10 fish for a day.

Catfish action is slowly improving as the water warms up. The best action is still in the south end of the lake. The Clearlake Oaks Keys is kicking out a few catfish as are the rockpiles near Rattlesnake Island. Catfish are also being caught near the old Konocti Harbor Resort.

The good news is that crappie are becoming more numerous. One angler reported catching five large crappie near Shag Rock, the largest weighing near 3 pounds. He was using a red-white crappie jig and working it slowly.

Bass are also being caught at Highland Springs Reservoir and Adobe Creek. These are two great small lakes to use a float tube or kayak.

Trout anglers are looking forward to the general season opener on the East Branch of the Russian River on April 27. The stream will be stocked just prior to the opener. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DWF) normally stocks the stream twice monthly during the summer months. Trout fishermen are also gearing up for the annual Blue Lakes Trout Derby scheduled for April 27-28. The entry fee is only $8 for adults and $4 for children younger than 16. All proceeds go toward purchasing lights at the Upper Lake High School football field.

The trout action has been mixed and some fishermen are doing well and others are struggling. Bob Steiner of Ukiah fished the lake with a friend on Wednesday and reported catching seven trout by trolling, with the largest measuring 16 inches. He said one bank fisherman he spoke with had three trout but another blanked. Art Cerini of the Narrows Resort said some of the trout being caught are more than 2 pounds.

Lake Pillsbury was stocked with trout last week and will be stocked again next week. Despite excellent conditions very few fishermen have been visiting the lake. I was there on Monday and only one boat trailer was in the parking lot at Fuller Grove. The county road going into the lake from Potter Valley is in good shape. This lake also offers excellent bass fishing and holds some giant bluegills.

The warm weather has improved the turkey hunting. The toms are strutting and gobbling everywhere. Ron Sneed of Lakeport took a nice gobbler earlier this week with a bow and arrow. The season runs through May 5.

The bass fishing world lost an avid fisherman with the death of Lakeport's Terry Pyers on April 11. Pryers was an active member of the Clear Lake Bassmasters bass club and could always be seen at their club tournaments. He was Angler of the Year several times and willingly shared his knowledge of bass fishing with his fellow fishermen. He loved Clear Lake and Lake County and was a friend to many. Services will be Sunday at 2 p.m. at First Southern Baptist Church located at 1144 Park Way in Lakeport.